Automobile Engineering

Unit 2: Steering and Suspension

Systems
 Introduction of Steering system
• Steering is the collection of components, linkages,
etc. which allow a vessel (ship,boat) or vehicle (car,
motorcycle, bicycle) to follow the desired course.
• The most conventional steering arrangement is to
turn the front wheels using a hand– operated
steering wheel which is positioned in front of the
driver, via the steering column, which may contain
universal joints (which may also be part of the
collapsible steering column design), to allow it to
deviate somewhat from a straight line.
 Rack and pinion steering
mechanism/steering linkages:
 Rack and pinion steering
mechanism/Steering linkages(Continue…)

• 1. Steering wheel;
• 2. Steering column;
• 3. Rack and pinion;
• 4. Tie rod;
• 5. Kingpin
 Rack and pinion steering mechanism
(Continue…)
• Steering box of a motor vehicle, the traditional
(non-assisted), you may notice that the system
allows you to adjust the braking and steering
systems, you can also see the attachment
system to the frame.
 Rack and pinion steering mechanism
(Continue…)
• Many modern cars use rack and pinion steering
mechanisms, where the steering wheel turns the
pinion gear; the pinion moves the rack, which is a
linear gear that meshes with the pinion, converting
circular motion into linear motion along the
transverse axis of the car (side to side motion). This
motion applies steering torque to the swivel pin
ball joints that replaced previously used kingpins of
the stub axle of the steered wheels via tie rods and
a short lever arm called the steering arm.
 Rack and pinion steering mechanism
(Continue…)
• The rack and pinion design has the advantages
of a large degree of feedback and direct
steering "feel". A disadvantage is that it is not
adjustable, so that when it does wear and
develop lash, the only cure is replacement.
 Power steering
• Why do We Need Power Steering?
• As we have already discussed above a power
steering decreases the steering efforts which is the
need of a 4 wheel automobile vehicle so we need
a power steering due to the following reasons
1. Quick response
2. Steering efforts
3. Bump steer
4. Return ability
 Types of Power Steering System

1. Hydraulic power steering system-

It is the type of power steering system in which
hydraulic system having hydraulic pump driven by the
engine and hydraulic cylinders, is used to multiply
the steering wheel input force which in turn reduces
the efforts required to steer the front wheels of the
vehicle.
A highly compressed hydraulic fluid is used inside the
hydraulic cylinder that applies pressure on the
steering gear.
 Types of Power Steering System
(Continue…)
2. Electro – hydraulic power steering system
It is the modified version of the hydraulic
system in which the rotary hydraulic pump
which is driven by the engine in hydraulic power
steering system is replaced with the hydraulic
pump which is driven by the electric motor.
It is also called the hybrid power steering system
due to the use of both hydraulic and electric
components.
 Types of Power Steering System
(Continue…)
• 3. Electronic power steering system-
It is the latest type of power steering system in
which the hydraulic system from the hydraulic
power steering is completely replaced with electric
motors and electric sensors, instead of using
hydraulic force ,the motor driven by the vehicle’s
battery is used to apply force on the steering gear
and torque provided by the motor is controlled by
the sensors that detects the position of the steering
column.
Working of Hydraulic Power Steering System

• In this type of power steering system as we

discussed above the hydraulic force is used to
multiply the steering input force in order to
smoothen the steering of the front wheels, this
hydraulic force is generated by a series of
components that includes hydraulic cylinder,
rotator hydraulic pump, hydraulic lines, highly
compressed hydraulic fluid and a coupling
mechanism that can couple this hydraulic system
with rack of the steering system.
Working of Hydraulic Power Steering System (Continue…)
Working of Hydraulic Power Steering System (Continue…)

• In this type of power steering system as we

discussed above the hydraulic force is used to
multiply the steering input force in order to
smoothen the steering of the front wheels
Working of Hydraulic Power Steering System (Continue…)

• When the driver provides input by rotating the

steering wheel, the hydraulic pump driven by
the engine starts pumping the highly
compressed hydraulic fluid through lines.
• The hydraulic pressure produced by the pump
enters the hydraulic cylinder which in turn
applies pressure over the cylinder’s piston.
Working of Hydraulic Power Steering System (Continue…)

• The piston which is under high pressure starts

moving from one end to the another which in turn
pushes the further fluid through lines, with this
movement of piston the input force applied by the
driver is multiplied several times.
• This high pressure fluid sent by the hydraulic
cylinder then applies the pressure to the attached
pinion through the coupling mechanism which in
turn applies high force to the rack gear and the
steering action in the front wheels takes place.
 Suspension system
• Suspension system is the term given to the
system of springs, shock absorbers and
linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels .
It is basically cushion for passengers protects
the luggage or any cargo and also itself from
damage and wear.
 Suspension system (Continue…)
• The main role of suspension system are as follows:
• It supports the weight of vehicle .
• Provides smoother ride for the driver and passengers i.e.
acts as cushion.
• Protects your vehicle from damage and wear .
• It also plays a critical role in maintaining self driving
conditions.
• It also keeps the wheels pressed firmly to the ground for
traction .
• It isolates the body from road shocks and vibrations which
would otherwise be transferred to the passengers and load.
 Suspension system (Continue…)
• Principle :
• When a tire hits an obstruction, there is a reaction force. The size
of this reaction force depends on the unsprung mass at each wheel
assembly.
• In general, the larger the ratio of sprung weight to unsprung
weight, the less the body and vehicle occupants are affected by
bumps, dips, and other surface imperfections such as small
bridges. A large sprung weight to unsprung weight ratio can also
impact vehicle control.
• No road is perfectly flat i.e. without irregularities. Even a freshly
paved highways have subtle imperfections that can be interact
with vehicle’s wheels. These are the imperfections that apply
forces on wheels.
Suspension system (Continue…)
 Suspension system (Continue…)
• Components of Suspension system;
• There are three fundamental components of any
suspension system .
• Springs
• Coil spring
• Leaf springs
• Air springs
• Dampers
• Shock Absorbers
 Suspension system (Continue…)
• Types of Suspension system;
 Suspension system (Continue…)
• Advantages;
• Comfort to passengers
• Good handling
• Shields the vehicle from damage
• Increases life of vehicle
• Keeps the tires pressed firmly to ground.
 Troubleshooting and remedies of
suspension system
Rough Ride | Automobile Suspension System Troubleshooting

1. The leaves of the spring may be rusted or corroded resulting in

excessive friction. The lubrication of the springs should be done
immediately to reduce friction.

2. The pins in the shackles may have seized, which should be set right at
once.

3. Shock absorbers may be defective, which must be replaced.

4. Lubricating pads at the ends of leaves may be worn. They should be

replaced.
 Troubleshooting and remedies of
suspension system (Continue…)
5. The pivots on the suspension arms may be
seized. The remedy is immediate lubrication.

6. In the case of torsion bars; their adjustment

may not be correct, which should be adjusted
properly.
 Troubleshooting and remedies of
suspension system (Continue…)
Suspension too flexible | Automobile Suspension System Troubleshooting

1. The manufacturer might have specified that the springs should not be
lubricated, which precaution might have been violated thus decreasing
friction. The remedy is to clean the springs thoroughly.

2. Due to constant use, the springs may have become weak. The only
remedy, in this case, is the replacements.

3. Some of the leaves of the springs may be broken which must be replaced.

4. The shock absorber might have developed some defects.

 Troubleshooting and remedies of
suspension system (Continue…)
• Sagging Springs | Automobile Suspension System
Troubleshooting
With the sagging springs, the vehicle sags on one side. The
following are the possible causes:

1. The spring on the sagging side may have become weak due to
constant use.

2. Any or more leaves of the sagging spring may be broken.

3. In the case of independent systems, the coil spring may be

incorrectly adjusted.
 Troubleshooting and remedies of
suspension system (Continue…)
• Vehicle bouncing after crossing the bump
Following are the probable causes and
remedies:
1. Worn out shock absorbers, which must be
replaced.
2. Damaged or slipped leaf springs, which have
to be checked, repaired, or replaced.
 Troubleshooting and remedies of
suspension system (Continue…)
• Knocking during the crossing of bump
In case of knocking or clunking when going
over a bump, the main causes are:
1. The shock absorbers or the struts may have
worn out. In such a situation, shock absorbers
and/or strut bearings have to be replaced.
2. Ball joints may be loose or worn out, which
may be checked and serviced or replaced as
required.
 Troubleshooting and remedies of
suspension system (Continue…)
• Noises
The noises produced in case there is any trouble in the
suspension system are generally squeaking or rattling.
These may be due to any of the following reasons:
1. Lack of lubrication may result in spring noise.
2. U-bolts may be loose.
3. There may be a side play in shackles.
4. The shackle pins and bushes may be loose.
5. There may be some defect in the shock absorbers.